Why does the loan govt saline-making plant remain shutdown for so long?

It is no surprising news that the authorities at the state-owned Institute of Public Health (IPH) kept the lone saline-producing government plant for the last three years out of operation allegedly under the influence of the private saline makers who can make brisk business out of the crisis.

In Bangladesh all state services to people remain in tatters because of the unholy nexus between the dishonest elements in the government and private business entities.

This year dengue has turned into an epidemic and an acute crisis of saline is now everywhere, and patients are forced to buy one-litre saline at Tk 300 when its regular market price is Tk 88 only.

Reportedly, the IPH authorities shutdown the plant on June 15, 2020, and did not take steps to restart it, despite the fact that it would not take more than one month to bring the shut plant into operation.

Still, in 2019 the Directorate General of Drug Administration inspected the IPH saline plant and asked the authorities there to improve the conditions of the saline plant facility including its building structure, heating ventilation and air conditioning systems of the building.

It also asked authorities to create storage facilities to maintain the Good Manufacturing Practice standard. But no action was taken in this regard.

If the state-owned plant remained functional, the government would not have to face the ongoing saline crisis and this life-saving fluid could be available in the market at a much lower price.

Moreover, the government would not have to approve the plan of importing 20 lakh bags of saline at an estimated cost of around Tk 30 crore.

It has also been reported that, earlier the Essential Drugs Company Limited purchased seven lakh bags of saline from India.

Purchase of anything from abroad is a very lucrative thing for a section of our officials who can tour the relevant foreign country, also opening up doors of corruption.

The shutdown saline making plant is a clear proof that the health ministry is not serious about delivering its public health responsibilities.

Had it been sincere, it would not leave the two-storey saline-producing plant uncared for with its equipment getting damaged.

As the plant remains shut down, staffers there are passing idle time drawing salaries from the public fund.

In Bangladesh, neglect to public properties and poor service delivery in each sector are disgracefully connected to each other.